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Pfiff, 


COMPILED  BY 

MRS.  O.  W.  SCOTT. 

ell  ~ 

PRICE,  . . PIVE  CENTS. 

WOMAN’S  FOREIGN  MISSIONARY  SOCIETY, 
METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH, 

36  BROMFIELD  STREET,  - - - BOSTON,  MASS. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2017  with  funding  from 
Columbia  University  Libraries 

i« 


https://archive.org/details/southamericafactOOscot 


SOUTH  AMERICA 


FACTS 


Questions  and  Answers 

FOR 

MISSION  BANDS  AND  JUNIOR  LEAGUES. 


BY 

PvIRS.  O.  W.  SCOTT. 


BOSTON,  MASS.: 

WOMAN’S  FOREIGN  MISSIONARY  SOCIETY 
METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH, 

36  Bromfield  Street. 


THE  COUNTRY. 


II. 

THE  GOVERNMENT. 

III. 

THE  PEOPLE. 

IV. 

CHILDREN. 

V. 

LITERATURE  AND  EDUCATION. 

VI. 

RELIGION. 

VII. 

MISSIONS. 


SOUTH  AMERICA 


THE  COUNTRY. 

1.  Q.  Will  you  describe  South  America? 
South  America  is  a vast  triangular  penin 

sula  connected  with  North  America  by  the 
Isthmus  of  Panama.  Its  length  from  north 
to  south  is  nearly  five  thousand  miles,  and  its 
greatest  width  is  about  three  thousand  miles. 
Its  area  is  nearly  seven  million  square  miles. 

2.  Q.  Of  what  is  it  composed? 

Of  eleven  political  divisions  (fourteen 
states),  nearly  all  of  which  are  republics. 
Brazil  is  the  largest  of  these,  having  an  area 
equal  to  that  of  the  United  States,  not  includ- 
ing Alaska. 

3.  Q.  What  is  its  climate? 

Three-fourths  of  this  country  lies  in  the 

torrid  zone,  though  as  a whole  it  has  every 
variety  of  climate. 

4.  Q.  How  is  it  watered? 

Three  great  rivers,  the  Amazon,  Platte  and 
Orinoco,  water  the  three  immense  plains 
which  make  up  most  of  its  widespread  surface. 

5.  Q.  For  what  is  the  Amazon  famous? 


4 


It  is  the  largest  river  in  the  world.  It  rises 
in  the  Peruvian  Andes,  near  the  Pacific  coast, 
flows  east-northeast  and  empties  into  the  At- 
lantic. This  river,  with  its  various  tributaries, 
represents  twenty-four  thousand  miles  of 
navigable  waters. 

6.  Q.  What  is  said  of  the  country  along 
its  banks? 

Most  of  it  is  dense  forest,  in  which  wild  ani- 
mals, reptiles  and  birds  make  their  homes. 
There  are  a few  settlements  here  and  there. 

7.  Q.  Describe  the  Platte. 

It  is  also  a magnificent  stream  and  is  over 
sixty  miles  wide  at  Montevideo. 

8.  Q.  Describe  the  mountains  of  South 
America. 

The  grand  Andes  chain  extends  the  entire 
length  of  the  country  on  the  west.  Some  of 
its  peaks  are  the  highest  on  the  globe,  except- 
ing the  Himalayas.  It  divides  into  t\yo 
branches  near  the  centre  of  the  country. 
Cotopaxi  is  a famous  volcanic  peak.  There 
are  also  mountain  ranges  near  the  east  coast. 

9.  Q.  What  is  said  of  the  forests? 

They  are  dense  and  cover  nearly  two-thirds 
of  the  country.  Many  kinds  of  valuable  trees 
are  found. 

10.  Q.  What  statement  did  Professor 
Agassiz  make? 

He  explored  the  valley  of  the  Amazon  and 


5 


tells  us  that  he  “found  within  an  area  of  half 
a mile  square  over  one  hundred  species  of 
trees,  among  which  were  nearly  all  of  the 
choicest  cabinet  and  dye  woods  known  to  the 
tropics,  besides  others  suitable  for  shipbuild- 
ing.” 

11.  Q.  Mention  one  valuable  tree. 

The  India  rubber  tree.  It  grows  from 
ninety  to  a hundred  feet  high.  After  fifteen 
years’  growth  it  is  tapped  annually,  and  its 
sap — which  hardens  gradually — is  gathered  by 
hundreds  of  natives.  From  Brazil  come 
four-fifths  of  the  world’s  supply  of  rubber. 
The  United  States  takes  over  twenty-five 
thousand  tons  every  year. 

12.  Q.  What  are  other  South  American 
trees? 

Palm  trees  of  great  beauty  are  found. 
“From  it  the  people  of  the  tropics  obtain 
food,  shelter,  clothing,  fuel,  fibre  for  cordage, 
cables,  etc.,  sugar,  oil,  wax  and  wine.”  In 
various  parts  of  the  country  the  bread  fruit 
tree,  the  mango,  the  soap  tree,  the  cow  tree, 
which  yields  milk  nutritious  and  abundant ; 
the  camphor  tree,  the  banana,  etc.,  etc.,  are 
found.  One  of  the  most  valuable  is  the  cin- 
chona tree,  from  whose  bark  quinine  is  made. 

13.  Q.  What  fruits  are  common?^ 

From  Brazil  come  many  oranges  to  the 

United  States,  while  limes,  pineapples,  ba- 


6 


nanas,  lemons,  cocoanuts,  grapes,  and  many 
other  tropical  fruits  are  abundant.  Brazil 
nuts  are  well  known. 

14.  Q.  How  is  Brazil  further  distin- 
guished? 

It's  productions  include  sugar,  coffee,  cot- 
ton, spices,  etc.,  besides  the  famous  India  rub- 
ber. There  are  also  mines  of  gold,  silver, 
iron  and  lead.  Diamonds  and  other  precious 
stones  are  found  there. 

15.  Q.  What  animals  are  common  to 
South  Ameria? 

Of  wild  animals  the  South  American  tiger, 
or  onga,  is  the  most  formidable.  Venomous 
snakes  infest  forests  and  thinly  settled  por- 
tions. Monkeys  are  numerous.  The  rivers 
abound  in  fish  and  alligators.  Stock  raising 
is  a source  of  wealth.  Wild  horses  are  found 
on  the  broad  plains  and  are  broken  for  use. 
They  are  very  cheap.  This  is  the  one  country 
in  the  world,  perhaps,  where  “beggars  on 
horseback”  are  found. 

16.  Q.  What  is  “the  only  native  domesti- 
cated animal  in  South  America?” 

The  llama.  These  animals  somewhat  re- 
semble the  camel,  but  have  not  its  size, 
strength  or  intelligence.  They  move  with  a 
graceful,  swan-like  motion,  and  will  carry 
loads  of  about  one  hundred  pounds. 

17.  Q.  What  birds  are  found? 


A great  variety  of  water  fowl,  and  in  the 
forests  are  birds  of  brilliant  plumage — par- 
rots, toucans,  macaws,  and  many  others  pe- 
culiar to  this  country.  These  brilliant  birds 
are  rarely  sweet  singers. 

18.  Q.  What  is  said  of  humming  birds? 
There  are  myriads  of  them.  The  Spanish 

call  them  “winged  flowers;”  the  Portuguese, 
“flower  kissers.”  These  birds  furnish  feathers 
for  the  wonderful  feather  flowers  sold  in  Bra- 
zil. 

19.  Q.  Are  flowers  found  in  profusion? 
Their  variety  and  beauty  are  endless. 

Orchids  fill  the  forests  with  splendor.  The 
scarlet  passion  flower,  tall  fuchsias,  pearl 
white  camellias,  honeysuckles,  etc.,  are  very 
common.  All  seasons  have  their  variety. 


THE  GOVERNMENT. 

20.  Q.  What  is  the  government  of  South 
America? 

Of  the  fourteen  recognized  political  divi- 
sions all  are  republics  but  Guiana,  which  is 
divided  between  the  British,  Dutch  and 
French. 

21.  Q.  What  conditions  weaken  these  re- 
publics? 

Intestine  wars  and  frequent  bankruptcy. 
It  was  Dom  Pedro,  last  emperor  of  Brazil, 


8 


who  said,  while  in  this  country  and  viewing 
the  Corliss  engine  at  the  Philadelphia  Cen- 
tennial, “Its  revolutions  remind  me  of  those 
in  my  own  country.” 

22.  Q.  What  causes  these  revolutions? 

They  are  for  individual  interest,  and  are 

often  produced  by  parties  who  study  the  con- 
ditions from  outside  and  plan  the  revolution 
as  they  would  a speculation  of  any  kind. 

23.  Q.  What  evils  result? 

The  state  suffering  from  these  oft-recurring 
civil  wars  loses  lives  and  property,  cripples 
her  commerce  and  paralyzes  her  industries. 

24.  Q.  In  what  lies  the  hope  of  these 
states? 

If  they  would  lay  aside  their  bitter  rivalries 
and  form  one  united  nation  they  would  gain 
in  wealth  and  power. 

25.  Q.  What  progress  was  made  in  Brazil 
under  Dom  Pedro  II,  the  last  Portuguese 
emperor? 

He  was  a wise  and  liberal  ruler,  and  under 
his  guidance  schools,  railroads  and  various 
industries  were  introduced.  Slaves  were 
emancipated  in  1888  and  liberty  of  worship 
was  favored. 

26.  Q.  What  occurred  in  1889? 

The  imperial  family  was  banished  and 
the  Republic  of  the  United  States  of  Brazil 
was  inaugurated  under  a provisional  govern- 


9 


ment.  In  1890  a decree  was  passed  declaring 
that  “all  religious  denominations  have  equally 
the  right  to  liberty  of  worship.” 

27.  Q.  Which  of  the  republics  is  most 
advanced? 

Chili,  the  most  powerful  nation  on  the  west 
coast.  It  has  been  comparatively  free  from 
revolutions  since  1851  and  its  government  is 
very  stable. 

28.  Q.  What  are  the  facilities  for  travel 
in  South  America? 

Large  cities  like  Rio  Janeiro  have  street 
cars  and  cars  drawn  by  mules.  Brazil  has 
over  six  thousand  miles  of  railways.  The 
water  ways  furnish  means  of  travel.  Among 
the  mountains  and  on  the  thinly  settled 
plains,  horses,  donkeys  and  llamas  are  used. 


THE  PEOPLE. 

29.  Q.  Describe  the  people  of  South 
America. 

South  America,  like  Mexico,  points  back- 
ward to  former  races.  Recent  discoveries 
point  to  a people  civilized  and  of  great 
achievements  in  art  and  science,  who  once 
lived  and  flourished  in  the  western  portion  of 
the  country.  They  were  conquered  by  the 
Incas.  This  race  (the  Incas)  was  plainly  of 
Asiatic  origin.  They  had  a knowledge  of 


10 


civil  government,  architecture  and  art.  They 
held  sway  over  an  empire  now  occupied  by 
Peru,  Bolivia,  Ecuador  and  Chili.  Most  in- 
teresting relics  of  them  are  found. 

30.  Q.  Name  one  of  the  most  famous. 

It  is  a highway  built  as  a route  of  travel, 
extending  from  Quito,  on  the  north,  down 
through  Peru  into  Chili.  “It  was  twenty  feet 
broad,  nearly  2,000  miles  long,  and  sections  of 
it  were  made  of  heavy  flags  of  freestone,  per- 
fectly joined.  Miles  of  it  were  cut  through 
solid  rock,  bridges  of  plaited  willow  swung  in 
the  air  across  rivers,  precipices  were  ascended 
by  staircases  cut  in  the  rock,  and  gullies  were 
filled  up  with  solid  masonry.”  Every  five 
miles  were  posts  or  small  houses  for  forward- 
ing government  dispatches. 

31.  Q.  Who  conquered  the  Incas? 

The  Spanish,  under  Pizarro,  about  1535. 
This  portion  of  South  America  was  under 
their  control  about  300  years.  After  an 
eight  years’  war,  independence  was  secured  in 
1818. 

32.  Q.  What  is  said  of  the  pure  aboriginal 
race  now  remaining? 

They  are  copper  colored  like  the  Indians  of 
Mexico.  Along  the  western  coast  are  found 
the  best  of  the  remaining  aborigines.  They 
are  sometimes  called  “the  Spartans  of  South 
America.”  These  Indians  are  found  in  all 


11 


parts  of  the  country,  but  are  slowly  disappear- 
ing. 

33.  Q.  Describe  the  masses  of  the  people. 

There  are  pure  Spaniards  and  Portuguese, 

Negroes,  French  and  Italian,  but  the  mixed 
races  are  most  numerous.  Much  of  the 
country  is  still  unexplored,  and  Indian  tribes 
exist  who  are  without  a vestige  of  civiliza- 
tion. 

34.  Q.  Which  is  the  ruling  race? 

Principally  the  descendants  of  the  early 

Spanish  settlers,  except  in  Brazil,  where  the 
settlers  were  Portuguese. 

35.  Q.  What  is  one  great  hindrance  to 
progress? 

The  Indians  and  the  mixed  races  are  lack- 
ing in  ambition  and  industry.  It  is  easy  to 
exist,  and  they  are  satisfied  with  very  little  of 
this  world’s  goods. 

36.  Q.  How  do  different  races  regard 
each  other? 

As  on  an  equal  footing.  The  white,  black, 
brown  and  yellow  seem  to  have  no  prominent 
class  distinctions;  and  yet  South  America  was 
the  last  civilized  country  to  free  its  slaves. 

37.  Q.  What  can  be  said  of  the  homes  of 
the  people? 

Like  the  people,  they  vary  greatly.  From 
the  huts  of  the  former  slaves  and  the  degen- 
erate Indians,  one  rises  in  the  scale  until  he 


12 


reaches  the  palace  built  around  its  flower- 
filled  court.  Many  of  the  better  class  of  city 
houses  are  built  with  overhanging  balconies, 
where  the  ladies  of  the  family  gather  for 
evening  gossip. 

38.  Q.  What  is  the  appearance  of  the  na- 
tive Indian? 

He  is  rather  short  and  stout,  with  broad 
face  and  a shock  of  coarse  black  hair,  dresses 
in  coarse  cotton  trousers  and  shirt,  and  wears 
a poncho,  or  gay  colored  blanket,  with  a slit 
in  the  centre,  through  which  his  head  is 
thrust. 

3854.  Q.  What  is  a common  source  of 
poverty  among  the  lower  classes? 

The  lottery.  Gambling  is  a passion  among 
them,  and  they  easily  part  with  their  last  bit 
of  money  in  the  excitement  of  a venture. 

39.  Q.  What  harmful  habits  exist? 

Drinking,  a sin  which  hamoers  the  poor 

here  as  everywhere,  and  the  constant  use  of 
tobacco,  which  women  as  well  as  men  smoke. 


CHILDREN. 

40.  Q.  Are  children  well  cared  for? 

As  a rule  the  babies  in  the  homes  of  rich 
and  poor  alike  are  made  welcome.  In  Bra- 
zil the  first  important  event  in  baby’s  life  is 


13 


its  baptism,  which  occurs  when  it  is  a few 
weeks  old. 

41.  Q.  In  what  way  is  it  important? 

Friends  and  relatives  are  invited,  there  are 

two  or  more  god  fathers  and  mothers,  and  a 
feast  is  furnished  at  their  expense. 

42.  Q.  What  occurs  at  the  church? 

Salt  is  put  into  the  mouth,  oil  on  the  head, 
and  the  priest  makes  the  sign  of  the  cross 
upon  its  forehead,  with  a few  Latin  words: 
the  name  is  given  and  baby  is  fairly  launched. 

43.  Q.  How  is  baby  dressed? 

For  the  first  and  only  time  it  wears  a long 
white  dress  at  its  baptism.  Ordinarily  its  at- 
tire is  very  scanty,  but  always  for  six  months 
it  wears  a cap  night  and  day. 

44.  Q.  Are  the  children  fond  of  play? 

In  Brazil  and  throughout  equatorial  South 
America  children  seem  too  lifeless^  and  dull  to 
attempt  lively  games,  and  there  seem  to  be 
none  in  vogue.  Where  the  weather  is  cooler 
they  show  .more  animation. 

45.  0.  When  does  school  life  begin? 

When  about  five  years  old.  Then,  if  the 

parents  are  able,  the  child  is  taken  to  a board- 
ing school,  whose  teachers  are  expected  to 
guard,  watch,  clothe,  feed  and  teach  it.  The 
children  are  put  in  groups,  and  the  care  they 
receive  is  like  that  given  in  a reformatory. 

46.  Q.  What  is  the  system  of  education? 


14 


Children  study  aloud,  as  in  the  Orient,  and 
are  obliged  to  memorize.  No  attempt  is  made 
to  develop  strong  characters.  Sacred  history 
is  always  taught,  and  they  are  obliged  to 
memorize  prayers  to  the  Virgin  and  other 
saints. 

47.  Q.  What  if  the  parents  are  wealthy? 

Then  teachers  and  governesses  are  em- 
ployed at  home. 

48.  0.  What  kind  of  homes  are  these? 

Beautiful  with  all  that  art  and  nature  can 

give.  Especially  gay  are  the  gardens,  with 
trees,  shrubs  and  flowers  covered  with  blos- 
soms. 

49.  Q.  What  occasion  is  always  cele- 
brated? 

The  child’s  birthday.  The  house  is  dec- 
orated, delicate  dishes  are  prepared,  friends 
are  invited  to  a feast  and  many  presents  are 
given. 

50.  Q.  Mention  other  pleasant  customs. 

The  children  of  the  better  class,  Spanish 

and  Portuguese,  have  the  habit  of  greeting 
parents  and  older  people  with  great  respect 
and  tenderness.  To  kiss  the  hand  and  say, 
“A  bencao  men  pai ” (a  blessing,  my  father),  is 
a common  greeting. 

51.  Q.  How  do  children  fare  in  poorer 
homes? 

The  very  large  proportion  of  children  in 


15 


South  America  are  among  the  poor  and  their 
homes  are  dark  and  dirty.  In  many  of  them 
they  never  set  a table.  When  the  dried  beef 
and  beans  are  ready  the  little  ones  are  called 
and  seated  on  the  floor.  Perhaps  beans  and 
dry  farina — the  coarse  meal  made  from 
manioc  root — is  all  they  have.  But  nearly 
always  in  the  tropical  part  of  the  country 
children  can  get  some  kind  of  fruit. 

52.  Q.  Mention  another  relief. 

Nearly  all  the  year  they  can  live  in  the  sun- 
shine out  of  doors,  bareheaded  and  bare- 
footed. They  are  really  “children  of  the 
street.” 

53.  Q.  How  does  this  lead  to  harm? 

In  every  large  city  there  are  many  beggars, 
and  little  children — the  more  the  better — are 
taught  to  help  their  parents  beg.  Perhaps  a 
blind  man  has  his  little  daughter  beside  him 
always.  Such  cases  are  sad,  as  they  are  nu- 
merous, usually  leading  to  bad  lives. 

54.  Q.  How  do  children  help  in  happier 
ways  ? 

There  are  washerwomen  who  go  to  the 
rivers  or  brooks  to  beat  the  clothes  white  on 
rocks  near  by.  With  them  go  groups  of 
merry  children,  some  to  care  for  the  babies, 
some  to  help  in  other  ways;  all  to  enjoy  pad- 
dling in  the  water. 

55.  Q.  Are  they  taught  to  be  industrious ? 


16 


The  poor  women  and  their  daughters  make 
lace,  which  is  bought  for  a small  price.  They 
learn  habits  of  neatness  and  industry  in  the 
mission  schools. 

56.  Q.  Are  they  able  to  learn  readily? 

Many  of  the  children  learn  to  sing  and  play 

easily,  and  foreign  languages  are  readily  ac- 
quired. The  teachers  introduce  games  also 
to  develop  physical  strength  and  overcome 
indolent  habits. 

57.  Q.  What  else  is  taught  by  Christian 
schools? 

Besides  all  branches  taught  in  our  own 
land,  teachers  find  it  necessary  in  Brazil  and 
at  other  points  to  train  the  children  to  be 
patriotic.  All  through  South  America  chil- 
dren must  be  taught  to  love  their  country  be- 
fore they  can  become  worthy  citizens  and 
help  make  one  great  nation. 

58.  Q.  What  is  their  personal  appearance? 

Children  in  South  America  are,  in  many 

parts  of  the  country,  very  handsome.  Even 
the  little  Indian-Spanish  child  has  beautiful 
eyes  and  teeth  and  hair,  with  a rich  brown 
complexion,  and  pleasant,  quiet  ways.  The 
girls  have  a brief  childhood,  marry  when  only 
fifteen  or  sixteen,  and  are  old  at  thirty.  Idle- 
ness, where  they  are  not  driven  to  work,  is  a 
characteristic  among  young  people. 


17 


LITERATURE  AND  EDUCATION. 

59.  Q.  Does  South  America  rank  high  in 
its  literature? 

There  are  no  literary  centres,  as  in  our  own 
land,  and  different  languages  and  dialects  pre- 
vent  a national  literature.  Brazil  has  had 
many  authors,  poets,  journalists  and  orators. 
In  Rio  Janeiro  is  a public  library  containing 
200.000  volumes,  besides  many  valuable  Span- 
ish and  Portuguese  documents  in  manuscript. 

60.  Q.  Are  there  newspapers  in  Brazil? 

Reviews,  weeklies  and  dailies  are  printed  in 

Rio,  and  public  men  and  matters  are  dis- 
cussed with  the  utmost  freedom.  Great  men 
are  caricatured  and  criticised,  even  as  with  us. 

61.  Q.  What  are  the  opportunities  for 
education  in  that  city? 

Educational  institutions  are  numerous  and 
well  organized.  There  is  a national  college 
here  and  a polytechnic  college. 

62.  Q.  What  is  true  of  Buenos  Ayres' 

It  has  two  large  public  libraries,  also  a uni- 
versity, with  about  fifty  professors  and  800 
students.  Since  1872  a series  of  normal 
schools  has  been  supported,  where  teachers 
are  trained.  This  city  has  more  daily  papers 
than  Boston  or  New  York. 

63.  Q.  Mention  other  educational  centres. 

Montevideo,  the  capital  of  Uruguay,  has 

many  schools  and  a national  university.  It 


18 


has  more  daily  newspapers  than  London  and 
a large  number  of  weekly  and  monthly  publi- 
cations. “The  men  read  the  newspapers  and 
the  women  fill  their  leisure  with  music  and 
gossip.”  Books  are  seldom  found  in  family 
circles. 

Valparaiso,  the  principal  seaport  of  Chili, 
has  numerous  free  schools  and  a college,  but 
the  people  of  this  republic  are  in  the  main 
very  ignorant.  It  has  four  daily  newspaper;,, 
one  of  which  is  more  than  a half  century  old. 
Lima,  the  capital  of  Peru,  has  a university 
which  claims  to  be  the  first  ever  established 
in  the  New  World,  dating  back  seventy  years 
before  the  “Mayflower”  reached  New  England 
shores.  The  national  library  contains  40,000 
volumes  and  a collection  of  Peruvian  antiq- 
uities. Here  are  found  ancient  ruins  and 
most  interesting  relics,  but  here,  too,  the 
Spanish  rule  was  cruel  and  destructive.  In 
this  city  it  never  rains. 

64.  Q.  With  the  exception  of  these  and 
other  large  cities,  what  is  the  mental  condi- 
tion of  the  people? 

It  is  deplorable.  Even  where  there  are  ad- 
vantages many  of  the  inhabitants  are  not 
really  intelligent,  and  among  the  poor  Indians 
and  the  masses  of  mixed  races  ignorance  is 
dense.  Patagonia,  largely  unexplored,  holds 
still  lower  forms  of  humanity. 


19 


RELIGION. 

65.  Q.  What  is  the  religion  of  South 
America? 

The  Roman  Catholic. 

66.  Q.  How  and  when  was  it  introduced? 
In  1498,  when  Columbus  took  possession 

of  the  land  in  the  name  of  Spain  and  the 
pope. 

67.  Q.  Does  this  religion  teach  the  people 
to  worship  Christ? 

It  professes  to  do  so,  but  uses  so  many 
mediums  that  the  common  people  do  not 
come  to  Him.  The  Virgin  Mary  and  the 
saints  are  their  deities. 

68.  Q.  What  represent  these  deities? 
Images  of  the  Saviour,  of  Mary  and  the 

saints  are  found  in  churches  and  homes.  The 
ignorant  masses  worship  these  images  and 
become  idolaters. 

69.  Q.  But  have  they  not  our  Bible? 

Yes,  but  the  priests  do  not  allow  the  people 

to  have  it. 

70.  Q.  What  do  they  teach  as  absolutely 
necessary  for  salvation? 

Baptism,  the  sacrifice  of  the  mass,  pen- 
ances and  indulgences. 

71.  Q.  To  what  does  this  lead? 

Utter  dependence  upon  the  priests. 

72.  Q.  And  what  results? 

The  church  grows  enormously  wealthy  and 


20 


powerful,  the  people  grow  poor,  superstitious 
and  helpless. 

73.  Q.  For  what  must  the  Roman  Cath- 
olic Church  answer? 

For  wonderful  opportunities  in  the  New 
World  and  the  Orient,  which  it  has  used 
largely  for  its  own  aggrandizement,  and  not 
to  elevate  and  save  the  millions. 

74.  Q.  What  can  counteract  these  evils? 

Nothing  but  God’s  own  word  honestly  and 

openly  taught  and  freely  circulated  among  the 
people. 

75.  Q.  Is  South  America  especially  noted 
as  a Catholic  country? 

In  no  other  part  of  the  world  is  this  re- 
ligion so  firmly  established.  This  is  true, 
though  all  denominations  are  now  tolerated. 

76.  Q.  Where  is  Catholicism  most  in- 
tense? 

In  Peru.  Holy  Week  in  Lima  illustrates 
this.  The  entire  city  is  under  a religious 
spell.  “On  Thursday  before  Good  Friday  a 
stillness  creeps  over  the  city.  Railroad  trains 
move  stealthily  without  whistle  or  bell.  No 
carriages,  carts  or  beasts  of  burden  are  seen 
upon  the  streets.  Musical  instruments  are 
closed.  Flags  are  at  half  mast.  The  people, 
dressed  in  mourning,  move  in  and  out  of  the 
churches.  Images  of  Christ  and  the  Virgin 
Mary  are  conspicuous.  At  night  in  every 


21 


church  an  image  of  the  Crucified  One  is 
displayed,  and  men,  women  and  children 
kneel  to  kiss  its  hands  and  feet.  For  more 
than  forty  hours  church  services,  ceremonies 
and  processions  prevail.  Then  come  the 
round  of  cannon,  bells,  bands,  firecrackers 
and  rockets,  while  business  of  all  kinds  is 
resumed.  On  Easter  Sunday  the  theatres  and 
bull  rings  are  thrown  open,  and  masquerade 
balls  and  other  forms  of  amusement  claim 
all  attention.” 

77.  Q.  What  statement  is  made  by  one 
who  knows  the  facts? 

“Nevertheless  the  power  of  the  priesthood, 
we  are  credibly  informed,  is  on  the  wane. 
They  owe  the  loss  of  it,  in  a great  measure, 
to  the  gross  abuse  of  their  positions  and  their 
shamefully  immoral  lives.” 

MISSIONS. 

78.  Q.  How  was  Protestantism  first  car- 
ried into  Brazil? 

By  religious  teachers  sent  by  Calvin  and  his 
friends  from  Geneva.  They  were  soon  scat- 
tered by  persecution  and  some  were  killed. 

79.  Q.  What  church  first  established  a 
mission? 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  begun 
work  in  1836  in  Rio  de  Janeiro,  being  the  first 
to  enter  that  field.  For  some  reason  this  work 


22 


was  abandoned  until  later,  and  the  South 
American  Conference  was  not  organized  until 
1893.  In  1897  the  portion  on  the  Pacific 
coast  was  set  off  as  the  “Western  South 
American  Mission  Conference.” 

80.  Q.  In  what  republics  are  its  stations? 

Argentina,  Brazil,  Paraguay,  Uruguay  and 

Bolivia.  The  West  Mission  Conference  has 
work  in  Chili  and  Peru. 

81.  Give  some  statistics,  of  the  work. 

The  South  American  Conference  is  divided 

into  four  districts.  There  are  thirty-nine  sta- 
tions and  seventeen  missionaries  of  the  Gen- 
eral Missionary  Society.  Native  preachers 
take  a part  of  the  stations.  In  1898  there 
were  1,983  members,  1,289  probationers,  3,236 
Sunday-school  scholars.  These  churches  pay 
about  one-half  their  annual  expenses. 

82.  Q.  What  threatened  to  interfere  with 
Protestant  missions  at  one  time? 

The  Spanish-American  war.  Spanish  sub- 
jects were  among  the  supporters  of  Christian 
work  and  were  for  a time  liable  to  foreign  in- 
fluences, but  these  difficulties  were  overcome. 
An  evening  paper  in  Buenos  Ayres  raised  the 
question  as  to  the  secret  of  the  superiority  of 
North  American  civilization,  and  the  answer 
was  “La  Biblia”  (the  Bible). 

83.  Q.  What  are  the  prospects  of  the 
South  American  Conference? 


23 


There  are  many  encouraging  features.  New 
church  buildings  are  contemplated,  a most 
encouraging  school  for  boys  from  tenement 
houses  in  the  slums  of  Buenos  Ayres  is  being 
sustained.  Epworth  Leagues  are  uniting  the 
young  people,  the  Bible  is  being  circulated 
more  widely  and  a spirit  of  courage  and  en- 
enterprise  prevails. 

84.  Q.  Describe  the  Western  Mission 
Conference. 

Missions  in  Chili  were  commenced  in  1887 
by  Rev.  William  Taylor.  They  are  conducted 
on  the  “self-supporting  plan.”  There  were 
eight  missionaries  in  Peru  and  thirty-five  in 
Chili  in  1898-99.  The  conference  has  four 
districts,  519  members,  540  probationers,  1,226 
Sunday-school  scholars.  In  this  conference 
are  Santiago  College,  Concepcion  College, 
American  College  (Concepcion),  Iquique 
College,  Temuco  School  and  an  Orphans’  In- 
dustrial Home. 

85*  Q.  What  is  the  Woman’s  Foreign 
Missionary  Society  doing  in  South  America? 

Its  work  was  begun  in  1874.  There  has 
never  been  a large  force  of  missionaries,  but 
schools  have  been  established  in  Asuncion, 
Buenos  Ayres,  Montevideo,  Rosario  and 
Callao. 

86.  Q.  What  is  the  hope  of  woman’s 
work? 


24 


The  possibility  of  retaining  girls  until  their 
habits  are  formed  and  they  develop  a Chris- 
tian womanhood.  “The  longei  the  girls  re- 
main in  school  the  more  active  and  earnest 
they  become.” 

87.  Q.  How  has  the  school  in  Callao, 
fPeru,  prospered? 

Through  opposition  and  persecution  a 
splendid  success  has  been  won,  especially 
among  ladies  in  good  social  position.  With 
money  for  suitable  buildings  its  permanence 
is  assured. 

88.  Q.  What  is  the  summary  of  the 
woman’s  work  in  South  America? 

This  society  had  in  1898-99  nine  mission- 
aries, one  Bible  reader,  four  boarding  schools, 
with  385  pupils,  and  nine  day  schools,  with 
51 1 pupils. 

89.  Q.  What  is  the  general  outlook  for 
South  America? 

The  various  denominations  now  success- 
fully at  work  there  are  fully  convinced  that 
no  heathen  land  needs  the  presence  and 
power  of  the  Holy  Spirit  more  than  does  this 
nominally  Christian  country,  filled,  as  it  is, 
with  images,  idolatrous  ceremonies,  super- 
stition, immorality  and  ignorance.  To  this 
great  population  of  a rich  and  beautiful  land 
must  be  repeated  the  old  remedy  applied  to 
one  possessed  of  evil  spirts,  “And  they  brought 
him  to  Jesus.” 


Flag  Series 


Facts  from  Foreign  Fields. 

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No.  4.  Africa. 

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